Nothin' But Nets
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Brooklyn Nets: 25 greatest individual games in team history

ByPhil Watson|
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 4: Deron Williams #8 of the New Jersey Nets takes a foul shot during the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
CHARLOTTE, NC - MARCH 4: Deron Williams #8 of the New Jersey Nets takes a foul shot during the game against the Charlotte Bobcats at Time Warner Cable Arena on March 4, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2012 NBAE (Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images)
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Brooklyn Nets
BOSTON – 1982: Ray Williams #13 of the New Jersey Nets shoots a layup against the Boston Celtics during a game played in 1982 at the Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1982 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

12. Ray Williams at Detroit Pistons, April 17, 1982

The Pontiac Silverdome was set to host the NBA’s top two rookies of 1981-82, with New Jersey Nets forward Buck Williams eventually winning Rookie of the Year honors ahead of runner-up Isiah Thomas of the Detroit Pistons.

But on April 17, 1982, it was a player more well-known as the younger brother of one of the NBA’s top stars of the day who stole the show.

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New Jersey guard Ray Williams was an accomplished player in his own right, a starting-caliber backcourt player who could play the 1 or the 2 and did so for six teams over a 10-year career.

The Nets were 43-38 and prepared to close the regular season and head to the playoffs for just the second time in six NBA seasons. The Pistons came in 38-42, out of the postseason discussion but much improved with the additons of Thomas and fellow first-year standout Kelly Tripucka.

The battle between the rooks was basically a standoff. Buck Williams had 22 points and 17 reounds, while Thomas finished with 24 points,

But the star of the 147-132 New Jersey win was Ray Williams, who erupted for a career-high 52 points and added seven assists. It topped his previous career best, set with the New York Knicks on Nov. 9, 1980, by a full 10 points and gave New Jersey a fifth straight win to close the season.

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